Two of the U.S. Army's most-used unmanned aerial vehicles, or "drones," will soon have their own exclusive airport near the Texas-Mexico border.
Scroll through to see how drones — and the debate surrounding their use — have evolved through the years. less

Two of the U.S. Army's most-used unmanned aerial vehicles, or "drones," will soon have their own exclusive airport near the Texas-Mexico border.
Scroll through to see how drones — and the debate ... more

These two stories illustrate how big a deal drones have become over the past decade or so. But unmanned aerial vehicles have been around a lot longer than that. Click on for a look at drones going back to World War II. less

View of an experimental, radar pilotless aircraft, or drone, nestled under the wing of a PN4Y2 naval aircraft in 1945.

View of an experimental, radar pilotless aircraft, or drone, nestled under the wing of a PN4Y2 naval aircraft in 1945.

Photo: PhotoQuest, Getty Images

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While today's drones launch missiles at suspected militants, early versions were more often targets in missile tests. Here, a redeye missile closes in on a radio-controlled drone in 1966.

While today's drones launch missiles at suspected militants, early versions were more often targets in missile tests. Here, a redeye missile closes in on a radio-controlled drone in 1966.

Photo: US Navy, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

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Israel Aircraft Industries workers assemble a drone in 1989.

Israel Aircraft Industries workers assemble a drone in 1989.

Photo: David Rubinger, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

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Lockheed Martin built the DarkStar High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to provide battlefield commanders and intelligence agencies with reconnaissance data.

Lockheed Martin built the DarkStar High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to provide battlefield commanders and intelligence agencies with reconnaissance data.

Photo: Carla Thomas, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

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Russian army soldiers prepare a pilotless drone aircraft at a secret base near the Chechen capital Grozny in 1999. The Russians used drones to search for Chechen rebel positions.

Russian army soldiers prepare a pilotless drone aircraft at a secret base near the Chechen capital Grozny in 1999. The Russians used drones to search for Chechen rebel positions.

Photo: Mark H. Milstein, Getty Images

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Northrop Gumman's 44-foot-long Global Hawk first flew in 1998. In 2008, Global Hawk set the endurance record for a full-scale, operational unmanned aircraft, flying for 33.1 hours at altitudes up to 60,000 feet over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. less

Northrop Gumman's 44-foot-long Global Hawk first flew in 1998. In 2008, Global Hawk set the endurance record for a full-scale, operational unmanned aircraft, flying for 33.1 hours at altitudes up to 60,000 feet ... more

Photo: Mai, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

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Onlookers move in for a closer look at Boeing's new Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle on September 27, 2000 during an unveiling ceremony at the Boeing Company plant in St. Louis, Mo.

Onlookers move in for a closer look at Boeing's new Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle on September 27, 2000 during an unveiling ceremony at the Boeing Company plant in St. Louis, Mo.

Photo: Bill Greenblatt, Getty Images

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An Israeli flag flutters next to an Harpy IAI-MBT Attack Drone as part of the Israeli display during the 44th Paris Air Show on June 21, 2001.

An Israeli flag flutters next to an Harpy IAI-MBT Attack Drone as part of the Israeli display during the 44th Paris Air Show on June 21, 2001.

Photo: FRANCOIS MORI, AFP/Getty Images

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U.S. Marines watch a demonstration of the Dragon Eye drone on February 16, 2003, in Kuwait. The drone can fly over enemy lines for one hour, sending back infrared real time images.

U.S. Marines watch a demonstration of the Dragon Eye drone on February 16, 2003, in Kuwait. The drone can fly over enemy lines for one hour, sending back infrared real time images.

Photo: Robert Nickelsberg, Getty Images

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Iraqi officials show off their 7.45-meter-wingspan Remotely Piloted Vehicle 30A, or the "Jerusalem 10," to members of the news media on March 12, 2003 in Baghdad. Iraq declared the drone in a January 15, 2003 report, but with a 4.4-meter wingspan, an error that Iraqis say was a "typing mistake." Though the drone looked like a science project, with tin foil and duct tape holding it together, U.S. officials building a case for war called it a "smoking gun." less

Iraqi officials show off their 7.45-meter-wingspan Remotely Piloted Vehicle 30A, or the "Jerusalem 10," to members of the news media on March 12, 2003 in Baghdad. Iraq declared the drone in a January 15, 2003 ... more

Photo: Scott Peterson, Getty Images

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In September 2003, a U.S. Army Hunter drone killed two suspected roadside bombers in northern Iraq by dropping a bomb on them, "a first in army aviation history," according to the Army.

In September 2003, a U.S. Army Hunter drone killed two suspected roadside bombers in northern Iraq by dropping a bomb on them, "a first in army aviation history," according to the Army.

Photo: ROMEO GACAD, AFP/Getty Images

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The Eagle, a drone made by European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) is shown at the Paris Air Show on June 17. 2003.

The Eagle, a drone made by European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) is shown at the Paris Air Show on June 17. 2003.

Photo: FREDERICK FLORIN, AFP/Getty Images

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In this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, airmen with the 64th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron move an RQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at Tallil Air Base in Iraq.

In this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, airmen with the 64th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron move an RQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at Tallil Air Base in Iraq.

Photo: U.S. Air Force, Getty Images

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German soldiers stand next to a drone prior to its launch north of Kabul, Afghanistan on Oct. 14, 2003.

German soldiers stand next to a drone prior to its launch north of Kabul, Afghanistan on Oct. 14, 2003.

Photo: AFP, AFP/Getty Images

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This prototype remote control helicopter being developed for use by the Israeli military was stolen on November 9, 2003, an act described as "industrial espionage."

This prototype remote control helicopter being developed for use by the Israeli military was stolen on November 9, 2003, an act described as "industrial espionage."

French soldiers set up a drone on a vehicle on July 14, 2004, prior the Bastille Day parade down the Champs Elysees in Paris.

French soldiers set up a drone on a vehicle on July 14, 2004, prior the Bastille Day parade down the Champs Elysees in Paris.

Photo: MEHDI FEDOUACH, AFP/Getty Images

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A militiaman loyal to Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr displays a U.S. military drone on Aug. 22, 2004. The militia claimed to have shot down the drone the previous day. The Arabic writing on the wing of the drone reads: "Equipment of the American army." less

A militiaman loyal to Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr displays a U.S. military drone on Aug. 22, 2004. The militia claimed to have shot down the drone the previous day. The Arabic writing on the wing of the ... more

Photo: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE, AFP/Getty Images

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Northrup Grumman's mock-up of the company's X-47B drone is shown with its bomb doors open and aircraft carrier tailhook deployed.

Northrup Grumman's mock-up of the company's X-47B drone is shown with its bomb doors open and aircraft carrier tailhook deployed.

Photo: John B. Carnett, Popular Science Via Getty Images

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Pilots control U.S. Predator drones flying over Afghanistan from a base in Las Vegas on May 2, 2006.

Pilots control U.S. Predator drones flying over Afghanistan from a base in Las Vegas on May 2, 2006.

Photo: Veronique De Viguerie, Getty Images

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In 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection deployed new MQ-9 Predator B drones to patrol the southern border of the United Sates.

In 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection deployed new MQ-9 Predator B drones to patrol the southern border of the United Sates.

Photo: Gary Williams, Getty Images

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A model of a drone fighter plane is displayed at the 6th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on October 31, 2006, in Zhuhai, China.

A model of a drone fighter plane is displayed at the 6th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on October 31, 2006, in Zhuhai, China.

Photo: ChinaFotoPress, Getty Images

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In this handout photo released by the Hamas media office January 11, 2007, a member of the Al-Qassam brigade, the military wing of Hamas Movement, poses with an Israeli spy drone which Hamas says was captured in the Gaza strip. less

In this handout photo released by the Hamas media office January 11, 2007, a member of the Al-Qassam brigade, the military wing of Hamas Movement, poses with an Israeli spy drone which Hamas says was captured ... more

Photo: Handout, Getty Images

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In this photo provided by the Israeli Defense Forces, the IDF's first long-range drone, named the Heron, comes in for landing March 7, 2007 at Palmachim air base in central Israel.

In this photo provided by the Israeli Defense Forces, the IDF's first long-range drone, named the Heron, comes in for landing March 7, 2007 at Palmachim air base in central Israel.

Photo: Getty Images

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A U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone takes off August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev. The Reaper was the Air Force's first "hunter-killer" unmanned aerial vehicle, designed to engage time-sensitive targets on the battlefield as well as provide intelligence and surveillance. The jet-fighter sized Reapers are 36 feet long with 66-foot wingspans and can fly up to 14 hours fully loaded with laser-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles. They can fly twice as fast and high as the smaller MQ-1 Predators, reaching speeds of 300 mph at an altitude of up to 50,000 feet. less

A U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone takes off August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev. The Reaper was the Air Force's first "hunter-killer" unmanned aerial vehicle, designed to engage time-sensitive ... more

Photo: Ethan Miller, Getty Images

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Michael Martinez, airframe and power plant mechanic with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., inspects an MQ-9 Reaper next to the aircraft's targeting pod during a pre-flight check August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev. less

Michael Martinez, airframe and power plant mechanic with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., inspects an MQ-9 Reaper next to the aircraft's targeting pod during a pre-flight check August 8, 2007 at ... more

Photo: Ethan Miller, Getty Images

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Photo taken on October 15, 2008 shows Elsa, the French National Police drone, during its presentation to European counterparts at a conference in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or.

Photo taken on October 15, 2008 shows Elsa, the French National Police drone, during its presentation to European counterparts at a conference in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or.

Photo: FRED DUFOUR, AFP/Getty Images

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A French Sperwer SDTI drone lands after an observation mission on December 2008 in a French forward military base in the East of Afghanistan.

A French Sperwer SDTI drone lands after an observation mission on December 2008 in a French forward military base in the East of Afghanistan.

Photo: JOEL SAGET, AFP/Getty Images

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An attendee photographs an A.R. Drone helicopter by Parrot as it flies overhead during a press event for the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show January 6, 2010 in Las Vegas. The device is controlled wirelessly from an iPhone. less

An attendee photographs an A.R. Drone helicopter by Parrot as it flies overhead during a press event for the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show January 6, 2010 in Las Vegas. The device is controlled ... more

A man demonstrates an IT 180 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with vertical take off and landing capability on June 13, 2010 in Paris.

A man demonstrates an IT 180 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with vertical take off and landing capability on June 13, 2010 in Paris.

Photo: ALEXANDER KLEIN, AFP/Getty Images

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A Scan Eagle, a remotely piloted aircraft by Boeing subsidiary Insitu, is stopped by a capture cable July 6, 2010, at Fort Carson, Colo.

A Scan Eagle, a remotely piloted aircraft by Boeing subsidiary Insitu, is stopped by a capture cable July 6, 2010, at Fort Carson, Colo.

Photo: U.S. Air Force

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A U.S. Army soldier tries to launch a drone on September 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.

A U.S. Army soldier tries to launch a drone on September 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.

Photo: PATRICK BAZ, AFP/Getty Images

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On Dec. 3, 2010 the Boeing-built X-37B unmanned space vehicle completed its first spaceflight, landing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California, after a 220-day mission for the U.S. Air Force. The X-37B is the first unmanned U.S. vehicle to return from space and land on its own and the only space vehicle other than the space shuttle that is capable of returning to earth for reuse, Boeing said. less

On Dec. 3, 2010 the Boeing-built X-37B unmanned space vehicle completed its first spaceflight, landing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California, after a 220-day mission for the U.S. Air Force. The X-37B is ... more

Photo: The Boeing Company

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Japan Advanced Defense Technology Centre Engineer Fumiyuki Sato displays his spherical observation drone in Tokyo on July 22, 2011. The drone can fly down narrow alleys, hover on the spot, take off vertically and bounce along the ground. less

Japan Advanced Defense Technology Centre Engineer Fumiyuki Sato displays his spherical observation drone in Tokyo on July 22, 2011. The drone can fly down narrow alleys, hover on the spot, take off vertically ... more

Photo: TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA, AFP/Getty Images

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Pakistani security personnel examine a crashed American surveillance drone in Chaman, Pakistan on August 25, 2011. The American surveillance drone crashed near a paramilitary base close to the Afghan border, Pakistani officials said. less

Pakistani security personnel examine a crashed American surveillance drone in Chaman, Pakistan on August 25, 2011. The American surveillance drone crashed near a paramilitary base close to the Afghan border, ... more

Photo: ASGHAR ACHAKZAI, AFP/Getty Images

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Supporters of the Pakistani politician Imran Khan and chief of Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party, burn a replica drone as they shout slogans during protest rally in Islamabad on October 28, 2011 against the U.S. drone attacks in Pakistani tribal regions. less

Supporters of the Pakistani politician Imran Khan and chief of Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party, burn a replica drone as they shout slogans during protest rally in Islamabad on October 28, 2011 ... more

Photo: AAMIR QURESHI, AFP/Getty Images

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An Iranian boy holds a portrait of supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali khamenei as he walks past a replica of the captured U.S. RQ-170 drone on display next to the Azadi (Freedom) tower during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Tehran on February 11, 2012. less

An Iranian boy holds a portrait of supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali khamenei as he walks past a replica of the captured U.S. RQ-170 drone on display next to the Azadi (Freedom) tower during the 33rd anniversary of ... more

Photo: ATTA KENARE, AFP/Getty Images

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An Iranian couple hold a model of the captured US RQ-170 drone during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Azadi (Freedom) square in Tehran on February 11, 2012.

An Iranian couple hold a model of the captured US RQ-170 drone during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Azadi (Freedom) square in Tehran on February 11, 2012.

Photo: ATTA KENARE, AFP/Getty Images

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A French firefighter holds a French Fly-n-Sense drone before its take off on July 12, 2012 on a test flight. The drone is designed to enable a real-time monitoring of forest fires.

A French firefighter holds a French Fly-n-Sense drone before its take off on July 12, 2012 on a test flight. The drone is designed to enable a real-time monitoring of forest fires.

Photo: PIERRE ANDRIEU, AFP/Getty Images

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Two engineers of the Aircraft Repair Plant assemble a "Filin" (Eagle-owl) drone on August 9, 2012 in Minsk, Belarus.

Two engineers of the Aircraft Repair Plant assemble a "Filin" (Eagle-owl) drone on August 9, 2012 in Minsk, Belarus.

Photo: ALEXEY GROMOV, AFP/Getty Images

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Germany's Rheinmetall displays a Tactical Reconnaissance drone at the ILA Berlin Air Show on September 11, 2012 in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany.

Germany's Rheinmetall displays a Tactical Reconnaissance drone at the ILA Berlin Air Show on September 11, 2012 in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany.

Photo: Ulrich Baumgarten, U. Baumgarten Via Getty Images

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An employee of ENAC company handles Blender drones on September 26, 2012 in Merignac near Bordeaux, France, during the "UAV Show Europe."

An employee of ENAC company handles Blender drones on September 26, 2012 in Merignac near Bordeaux, France, during the "UAV Show Europe."

Photo: PIERRE ANDRIEU, AFP/Getty Images

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The nEUROn, an experimental Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle developed under a European consortium led by French defence group Dassault is put on show at the Dassault factory in Istres on December 19, 2012. The drone is expected to remain in testing for several years before a combat version is released sometime in 2015. less

The nEUROn, an experimental Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle developed under a European consortium led by French defence group Dassault is put on show at the Dassault factory in Istres on December 19, 2012. The ... more

Photo: BORIS HORVAT, AFP/Getty Images

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Department of Public Safety launches new drone program

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AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Public Safety is launching a new drone program, roughly eight years after scrapping its first effort due to challenges posed by federal restrictions and maintenance costs, according to an agency news release issued Thursday.

Over the last few months, the department has quietly spent roughly $70,000 to purchase 17 drones. The most expensive, an Aeryon SkyRanger equipped with a high-tech camera, cost $48,000 and can fly for up to 50 minutes, according to department purchase records.

“The (drone) is an excellent tool to deploy when DPS aircraft are unavailable; if a mission is too dangerous for manned aircraft to be deployed; or when deemed more cost effective than conventional aircraft,” said the news release.

Known formally as unmanned aerial systems, the new drones will aid in search and rescue, disaster support, aerial observation and crime scene photography, among other uses, according to DPS. The SkyRanger, equipped with specialized software and an extended battery life, will mostly be used by highway patrol for crash scene reconstruction, DPS spokesman Tom Vinger said.

So far, three agency officials have passed the 10-hour training needed to fly the drones, which can only be operated during daylight hours.

Boy carted off in ambulance after S.A. shooting as relatives scream in anguishSan Antonio Express-News

The department’s 18-page policy guide says that division directors will “establish protocols to prevent violations of policy, law, and public privacy,” but those aren’t detailed in the document.

The drones add to a growing fleet of DPS aircraft that already include 15 helicopters and nine planes. The Express-News reported last year that two high-altitude surveillance planes DPS bought recently for more than $15 million to help secure the Mexican border regularly circle over San Antonio. Details about their missions are scarce.

When asked recently why the department uses planes over drones, a spokesman said “their missions and capabilities are not comparable. There are also numerous limitations placed on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles by the (Federal Aviation Administration).”

DPS first deployed drones in 2008, one of the first state and local law enforcement agencies to use the devices. Within two years, however, the department scrapped the program over concern with “complicated Federal Aviation Administration restrictions, battery life of the device, maintenance costs and deficient video quality,” according to the agency.